ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
MSP Operations during Kharif Marketing Season 2020-21
In the ongoing Kharif Marketing Season  2020-21, Government continues to procure Kharif 2020-21 crops at its MSP from farmers as per its existing MSP Schemes.
Paddy procurement for Kharif 2020-21 is continuing smoothly in the procuring States & UTs of Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, Chandigarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala,Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh with purchase of over 281.28 LMTs of paddy upto15.11.2020 against the last year corresponding purchase of 233.89 LMT showing an increase of 20.25 % over last year. Out of the total purchase of 281.28 LMT, Punjab alone has contributed 196.13 LMT which is 69.73 % of total procurement.
About 24.14 Lac farmers have already been benefitted from the ongoing KMS procurement Operations with MSP value of Rs. 53105.70 crore.
Further, based on the proposal from the States, approval was accorded for procurement of 45.10 LMT of Pulse and Oilseeds of Kharif Marketing Season 2020 for the States of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh under Price Support Scheme. Further, sanction for procurement of 1.23 LMT of Copra  for the States of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala was also given. For other States/UTs approval will also be accorded on receipt of proposals for procurement of Pulses, Oilseeds and Copra under PSS so that procurement of FAQ grade of these crops can be made at notified MSP for the year 2020-21 directly from the registered farmers, if the market rate goes below MSP during the notified harvesting period in the respective States/UTs by the Central Nodal Agencies through State nominated procuring agencies.
Upto15.11.2020, the Government through its Nodal Agencies has procured58623.22 MT of Moong, Urad, Groundnut Pods and Soyabean having MSP value of Rs.315.78Crores benefitting34149 farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Haryana and Rajasthan as against the last year corresponding purchase of33976.48MT which is an increase of 72.54%for pulses and oilseeds.
Similarly, 5089 MT of copra  having MSP value of Rs.52.40 crore has been procured benefitting 3961 farmers in Karnataka and Tamil Naduupto15.11.2020 as against the last year corresponding purchase of293.34 MT of copra. In respect of Copra and Urad, rates are ruling above MSP in most of the major producing States. The respective State/UTs Governments are making necessary arrangements for commencement of procurement from the date as decided by the respective States based on the arrivals in respect of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds.
Procurement operations of seed cotton  under MSP are going on smoothly in the States of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Till 15.11.2020 a quantity of 1465847 cotton bales valuing Rs.4187.05 Crore has been procured benefitting 286547 farmers.
AYUSH
Growth of Ayush Industry
As per the research report on Ayush Sector by Forum on Indian Traditional Medicine  under Research and Information System for Developing Countries , the market size of Ayush industry is US$ 18.1 billion  in 2020 whereas it was US$ 2.85 billion  in 2014-15 .
The Ministry has developed a Central Sector Scheme for Promotion of International Co-operation in Ayush  under which Ministry of Ayush provides support to Indian Ayush Manufacturers/ Ayush Service providers to give boost to export of Ayush products & services; facilitate International promotion, development and recognition of Ayush system of medicine; foster interaction of stakeholders and market development of Ayush at international level; promote academics and research through establishment of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign countries and holding training workshop/symposiums for promoting and strengthening awareness and interest about Ayush Systems of Medicine at international level.
The Ministry of Ayush in cooperation with Ministry of Commerce and Industry has set up an Ayush Export Promotion Council for medicines and products of Ayurveda, Homoeopathy, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa and Unani systems and services of the Ayush systems.
As per the report of Research and Information System for Developing Countries , on ‘Ayush Sector in India: Prospects & Challenges’, the global market size of the herbal sector was estimated at US$ 657.5 billion  in 2020. In terms of overall exports, the total Ayush export of India has increased from US$ 1.09 billion  in 2014 to US$ 1.54 billion  in 2020.
Ministry of Ayush has taken the following steps to push exports globally: -
- Ministry has signed 24 Country to Country MoUs for Cooperation in field of Traditional Medicine and Homoeopathy with foreign nations.
- 40 MoUs have been signed with international institutes for undertaking Collaborative Research / Academic collaboration.
- 15 MoUs have been signed with international institutes for setting up of Ayush Academic Chairs in foreign nations.
- Ministry of Ayush has provided support for establishment of 39 Ayush Information Cells in 35 foreign nations.
- The “Ayush Export Promotion Council” has been registered under section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 on 04.01.2022 under the Ministry of Ayush in support of the Ministry of Corporate Affairs to tackle the obstacles for registration of Ayush products abroad, undertaking of market studies and research activities abroad.
- MoUs have been signed with London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine , UK and Frankfurter Innovationszentrum Biotechnologie GmbH , Frankfurt Germany for clinical research studies on mitigation of Covid-19 through Ayurveda.
- WHO-GMP  has been given to 31 Ayurvedic Drug manufacturers to facilitate the export of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani & Homoeopathy Drugs.
This information was given by Minister of Ayush Shri Sarbananda Sonowal in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
The Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah has hailed the laying of the foundation stone of the new Parliament building in New Delhi today.
The foundation stone of the new Parliament House is a golden day in our history
I congratulate, the Prime Minister on this glorious occasion
Parliament House symbolizes our faith in democracy, which reminds us of the value of freedom and the struggle for it and also motivates us to serve the nation
The new Parliament House will be a symbol of a self-reliant India, which will become the locus for fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of our citizens
The Union Home Minister, Shri Amit Shah has hailed the laying of the foundation stone of the new Parliament building in New Delhi today. In his tweets, the Union Home Minister said, “The foundation stone of the new Parliament House is a golden day in our history. I congratulate, the Prime Minister on this glorious occasion.”
“Parliament House symbolizes our faith in democracy, which reminds us of the value of freedom and the struggle for it and also motivates us to serve the nation.The new Parliament House will be a symbol of a self-reliant India, which will become the locus for fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of ourcitizens.”
“The Modi government is totally devoted and dedicated in empowering the poor and deprived sections of the country and this new Parliament House will be a witness to our commitment to this resolution.”
NDW/RK/PK/AY/DDD
(Visitor Counter : 494
Ministry of Defence
Navy Inducts Indigenously Developed Torpedo Decoy System
Anti - Submarine Warfare capability of the Indian Navy has received a major boost today with the conclusion of a contract for Advanced Torpedo Decoy System Maareech capable of being fired from all frontline warships. Design & Development of this anti-torpedo decoy system has been undertaken indigenously DRDO labs . Bharat Electronics Limited, a Defence PSU, would undertake the production of this decoy system. The prototype of this system installed onboard a nominated naval platform had successfully completed all user evaluation trials and demonstrated the features as per the Naval Staff Qualification Requirements.
This induction not only stands testimony to the joint resolve of the Indian Navy and DRDO towards indigenous development of Defence technology, but has also given a major fillip to the Government's 'Make in India' initiative and the country's resolve to become 'Atmanirbhar' in niche technology.
ABB/SS/Nampi/VM/KA/DK/Savvy/ADA/MS
(Visitor Counter : 3614
Ministry of Railways
Railway Authority to Transform Railway Coaches into Heritage Look Restaurants in Various Stations of North Bengal
Kolkata, September 15, 2022
To develop an additional source of revenue, the Indian Railways is in the process of giving facelift to old railway coaches into cosy, aesthetic, heritage looking restaurants. Christened as ‘Restaurant on Wheels’, the rail coach restaurant is already in operation in the circulating area of Asansol railway station under Eastern Railway in West Bengal. With the proliferation of LHB coaches, the old coaches of Indian Railways are being pulled out from service. These old train coaches, whose operations are discontinued by the Railways, have been utilised for coach restaurants.
When such a restaurant was inaugurated in Asansol, the target was to raise Rs 50 lakh as non-fare revenue over a period of five years. The Non Fare policy ensures that the Railways is adding bulk to their income through various sources other than freight and passenger receipts. Under five-year contracts, the offeree will be able to open their restaurants in the coaches provided by Indian Railways, but the ownership of the refurbished freights will remain with the Railways.
Northeast Frontier Railway  has also initiated to convert some of its old train coaches, which are not fit for use, by modifying them into restaurants. A coach restaurant is ready to be operational at New Jalpaiguri station area. Works for setting up of 15 more such coach restaurants at various locations over the five divisions of NFR have also been finalised.
In Alipurduar division, setting up of seven coach restaurants, one each at New Coochbehar, New Alipurduar, Madarihat, Lataguri, Chalsa, Raja Bhat Khawa and New Mal has been finalised. Coach restaurants are being planned and works are under progress at eight locations in Alipurduar.
The coach restaurants are being designed with aesthetic and beautifully heritage look for the attraction of travellers. People can enjoy with family and friends to have ecstatic feeling while getting experience of dining in train coaches. There will be facilities to buy food, snacks and beverages at the coach restaurants.
Apart from generating non-fare revenue for railways, this initiative of NFR is expected to create employment for both skilled and unskilled workers.
Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
Details of Voluntary Scrappage Policy to be declared within 15 days : Nitin Gadkari
Scrappage Policy will lead to new investment of Rs. 10,000 crores, and create 50,000 jobs
Minister welcomes increased outlay for National Highways
Union Minister for MSME and Road Transport & Highways, Sh. Nitin Gadkari has welcomed the Voluntary Scrappage Policy announced in the Union Budget, and said thatdeclaration of thedetails of the policy will be done within 15 days from today. In his post-budget interaction with the media at his residence, Sh. Gadkari said that the scrappage policy will lead to new investment of around Rs.10,000 crores, and create as many as 50,000 jobs.
The Minister said the policy would cover an estimated 51 lakh light motor vehicles  that are above 20 years of age, while another 34 lakh LMVs are above 15 years. It would also cover 17 lakh medium and heavy motor vehicles, which are above 15 years, and currently without valid fitness certificates. These vehicles are estimated to cause 10-12 times more pollution than the latest vehicles. Outlining the benefits of the policy, Sh. Gadkari said it would lead to recycling of waste metal, improved safety, reduction in air pollution, reduction in oil imports due to greater fuel efficiency of current vehicles, and stimulate investment.
Sh. Gadkari also welcomed the increased outlay for the highways sector, to Rs. 1,18,000 crores, with the highest-ever capital investment of Rs.1,08,000 crores. While welcoming the increased allocation, the Minister said that the Ministry’s increased stress on monetization of highways will help in expanding the road network in the country.
The media interaction can be watched at this link :https://youtu.be/ZVSNmdPKhs4
Link to PIB Press Release on increased outlay : https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1693896
Competition Commission of India
Competition Commission of India Revises Long Form for Merger & Acquisitions
The Competition Commission of India  has notified the revised format of Form II  vide Notification no. CCI/CD/Amend/Comb. Regl./2022 dated 31st March 2022. This amendment revises the content and format of information that the parties to a combination uses to file under section 6, where the post-combination market share exceeds 15% in cases of horizontal overlap and 25% in cases of vertical interface. Generally, these are the cases requiring detailed examination to assess the likely effect of the combination on competition in India.
The revised Form II will be effective from 1st May 2022. The one-month period has been given for making the revised form effective. Time period of one month will provide sufficient time for the notifying parties to get familiarised with the revised Form – II.
The amendment to the Form – II is a part of series of measures undertaken by the CCI towards ease of doing business, reducing the compliance burden on the parties and making the assessment of the combination more objective and focussed. Previously, the CCI had also amended the Form – I  in August 2019. This form is used by parties to provide information while seeking approval of the Commission for a combination,
where the combined market share post-merger is not significant. Amendment to Form – I was followed by detailed guidance notes to Form – I issued in March 2020 that provided clarifications on the nature and scope of information to be filed and elaborated criterion for availing green channel by the parties.
The amendment to the Form – II is aimed to remove duplicity and limit the information requirement so that they remain focused and relevant to the objective of assessment of a merger, suitably clustering the information on common subject, streamlining the flow of information for better navigation and appreciation of material furnished in the notification. Further, the template of revised long form is based on the structure of short form so as to have modular formats of merger notification that would reduce the time and efforts required to move from the short form to the long form. Further, revision in the long form has been undertaken without sacrificing the cause of merger regulation. Revised long form is intended to strike a balance between facilitation and enforcement functions and create a culture of compliance.
The CCI also intends to issue guidance notes for revised Form II in due course. This guidance notes will elaborate upon the queries in revised Form II and include certain queries from existing Form II that are explanatory in nature.
The amendments to Combination Regulations are available at www.cci.gov.in.
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Over 77 crore portable transactions recorded in One Nation One Ration Card Scheme 
80 Crore beneficiaries avail benefit of ONORC recording nearly 3 Crore portability transactions per month
Scheme to complete 3 years of successful launch next week
The Department of Food and Public Distribution is observing week-long activities to celebrate “One Nation One Ration Card”  Scheme which was launched on 9th August, 2019, as a pilot project in four states.
Performance of portability transactions
|
|
Transactions since
August 2019
|
|
NFSA Transactions
~60%
|
|
Avg Monthly Portable
Transactions
|
|
>77.5 Crore
|
|
PMGKAYTransactions
~40%
|
|
3.5 Crore

|
|
Transactions during
COVID period
|
|
Total Distribution of food grains
|
|
Total Subsidy Incurred
|
|
>70 Crore
|
|
>144 LMT
|
|
>43,000 Crore
ONORC is a technology driven scheme which is being implemented by the Central Government for the nation-wide portability of ration cards under National Food Security Act . This system allows all NFSA beneficiaries, particularly the migrant beneficiaries, to claim either full or part of their entitled food grains from any Fair Price Shop  in the country through existing ration card with biometric/Aadhaar authentication in a seamless manner. The system also allows their family members back home, if any, to claim the balance foodgrains on the same the ration card.
Since its inception on 9th August, 2019, in a very short span of time, it is now implemented in all 36 States/UTs across the country. Assam, the last state to come onboard, joined the plan in June 2022 and thus completing the pan-India roll out of the plan. Food security is now portable throughout the country. The Scheme is one-of-its-kind Citizen Centric initiative in the country. Presently, the system covers nearly all the  NFSA beneficiaries . Moreover, on an average, about ~3 Crore portability transactions per month are being recorded under the scheme.
The objective of this beneficiary centric high-impact program is to empower all NFSA beneficiaries to be Atma Nirbhar for their food security anywhere in the country. The scheme has proved to be a tremendous value-added service to each NFSA beneficiary during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly migrant beneficiary. It facilitated them to avail the benefit of subsidised foodgrains with flexibility from any location during the lockdown/crisis period. Since inception , about 77.88 Crore portable transactions have taken place under the ONORC.
To make the beneficiary aware of the benefits of the ONORC, a vigorous awareness generation campaigning – in Hindi & Regional Languages was also carried out.
Progress of One Nation One Ration Card implementation in States/UTs
A specially customized Android Mobile App on ONORC “Mera Ration” has also been launched for the benefit of all NFSA beneficiaries. The application provides multiple functionality and makes portability of ration easier, specifically for migrant NFSA beneficiaries. Moreover, the application is now available in 13 languages.
Besides, a 5-digit ‘14445’ toll-free number is also available in most States/UTs under ONORC.
Special Service and Features
Cash, blank cheques seized by Chennai Customs flying squad
As per the instructions of the Election Commission of India , and Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs , Ministry of Finance, Department of Revenue, New Delhi, has been directed to carry out preventive checks to curb illegal influencing of electorates in the election bound states such as Tamilnadu, Pondicherry, Kerala and West Bengal.
Accordingly, Chennai Customs Zone has deployed Flying Squads. Static Surveillance Teams, Sea Patrolling team, and Road Patrolling team to stop the flow of smuggled goods j contraband.
In the late hours on Friday 12th March 2021, a transport vehicle  was intercepted by Chennai Customs Flying Squad Team near Chennai Beach Railway Station. On checking the vehicle, though no goods for inducement of electorate were found, however, Indian Currency totally amounting to Rs. 4,39,430/- and two signed blank cheques totally amounting to Rs.66,000/- "without indicating to whom it is payable" were recovered from Driver's cabin area. The driver of the vehicle was not carrying any documents for legal possession of the said amount. Since the driver could not produce any valid documents, the recovered cash and blank cheques were detained by Custom officials for further action.
This is stated in a press release issued by Shri. Dr. R. Natarajan, Assistant Commissioner of Customs Preventive General.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID - 19 Vaccination Update - Day 560
India’s cumulative vaccination coverage crosses 203.91 Crore
More than 29 lakh Vaccine doses administered today till 7 pm
India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 203.91 Crore  today. More than 29 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered till 7 pm today. The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late tonight.
The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10411624
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
10089757
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
6296251
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
18430450
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
17670508
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
12156719
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
38944939
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
27803227
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
61164263
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
51004295
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
559492433
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
508634807
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
21692498
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
203681289
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
195242239
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
14730287
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
127437195
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
122011586
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
32224589
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
1019562193
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
932456419
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
87100344
|
|
Total
|
|
2039118956
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
Date: 29th July, 2022 
|
|
HCWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
80
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
473
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
24385
|
|
FLWs
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
168
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
955
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
73308
|
|
Age Group 12-14 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
68963
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
105888
|
|
Age Group 15-18 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
22220
|
|
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
49064
|
|
Age Group 18-44 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
32186
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
134528
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
1273781
|
|
Age Group 45-59 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
6021
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
30641
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
779599
|
|
Over 60 years
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
3606
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
19465
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
277171
|
|
Cumulative 1st dose administered
|
|
133244
|
|
Cumulative 2nd dose administered
|
|
341014
|
|
Precaution Dose
|
|
2428244
|
|
Total
|
|
2902502
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.